anna knits - braided knit headband

Last week a reader reached out to me to commission a braided knit headband (thanks Jessica!). I made a few braided headbands last winter, but this was my first of this season. I used two strands of Ella Rae Classic in Silver Heather (104) held together on size US15 needles with this pattern from the blog LuluKnits. I completed ten rounds of the pattern to get the right length - including the 1/2 inch that came when I blocked the headband. Blocking really helped to flatten it as well. 

I hope it helps to keep Jessica warm this winter!

If you have an idea for a custom order, don't hesitate to email me: annaknitsetc@gmail.com

hair, etc. - heatwave strategy

Boston is in the midst of a heatwave, and with temperatures expected to be in the 90s all week, I've been looking for inspiration for how to keep my hair off my shoulders and out of my face. Here are some of my favorite finds:

Hair clips: When you're dripping with sweat, there is no better way to catch those pesky flyaways.

Side braids: I love this twist on one of the season's biggest trends.

Braids with a hair clip: In this heat, two hair wrangling strategies are better than one.

High pony: Does the job. 

anna knits - braided headband 2

After knitting my frist braided headband, I ordered some super bulky wool from Jimmy Beans Wool. I went with the Rowan Big Wool Yarn in black. This pure merino wool is so soft, and super easy to knit.

I used the same pattern from LuluKnits that I used the first time, but this time I used size 15 needles with my super bulky yarn. It only took me a few hours to knit up yesterday -- which I had due to Nemo!

I have enough yarn left over from the 100g skein that I think I can knit up another headband. Or 'll try a different project... perhaps an infinity scarf?

For real time updates on my knitting projects, follow me on instagram @annaknitsetc!

anna knits - braided headband update 2

I finished my braided headband!

Used this pattern, knitting the headband until it fit around my head tightly and then joining it with mattress stitch. 

Next time I'd like to make one that is really bulky. It is so cold her in Boston, I'll need it!

anna knits - braided headband update 1

I started the braided headband pattern from LuluKnits I blogged about last night.

I'm using Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky yarn in wild oak, because it is what I had on hand. I'm not sure about the color, but I love the braided cable. I'd like to try it with an even bulkier yarn next time. 

It knits up pretty fast, so hopefully I can finish this before the weekend!  

knitting, etc. - braided headband

I've been wanting to try a knit headband for a while. (I blogged about it here.) I've also wanted to try the braided knit pattern. So when my sister sent me this Braided Knit Headband from LuluKnits I decided to make it my next project.

The pattern calls for pulling from 2 balls of yarn for size 8 needles, or using bulky yarn. Not sure if I have enough worsted weight yarn in my basket to make 2 balls of the same color, but if so I will start it tonight! 

See how my braided headband turned out here. 

braids, etc.

Today is a rainy day in Boston.

www.weather.com

With 94% humidity, even my super straight hair is puffing up. In times like these I turn to the french braid. It keeps my hair out of my face and under control. I wanted to try something different so I went for what I'm calling a crown braid. I started with an inside-out sweeping french braid (you can read my post about this style here), but rather than finishing with the braid low I continued the braid as long as I could and then wrapped the end around my head. I tried to lock it down with bobby pins, and it has stayed mostly up, despite a hooded walk in the rain down Charles St. I kind of like it messy anyway!

After I finished this style, I was reminded of the half-crown braid look Claire Danes wore in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet. The blog Hairdresser on Fire has a bunch of stills from the ball scene. Here are a few:

This style is more of a twist than a braid. I love the way it acts as a halo for her costume!

braids, etc.

Braids are the go-to hairstyle this season. I've seen french braids, fishtail braids, crown braids, pig-tail braids, beehive braids, upside down braids, braids leading to buns, and heidi braids-- to name a few.

          

 

So a few weeks ago I started experimenting with different braids. For inspiration, I watched this tutorial from She Lets Her Hair Down on inside-out crown braids. 

http://www.sheletsherhairdown.com/2012/02/crown-braid-and-rag-curls-video.html

Since my hair is not long enough to complete the crown, I decided to just go with a sweeping, inside-out braid.

I've been sporting this style for a few weeks now, so when I went to go see The Hunger Games movie last weekend, I was surprised to see the main character wearing the same sweeping, inside-out braid!

It's a great hairstyle, because you can put your hair into it first thing in the morning (it even helps when it is a little wet from showering), and then take it down in the evening for some fun waves. 

I'm also loving the braids appearing in fashion. Checkout these cute interwoven yarn necklaces from Sally J Shim's blog. 

So easy and so fun! I love the hint of pink neon in the gray necklace. Seems like a great way to use extra yarn from misc. knitting projects.